George Hooks Lions Video Blog After British And Irish Lions 39 Sharks 3
WATCH GEORGE HOOKS LIONS VIDEO BLOG AFTER THE BRITISH AND IRISH Lions Tour MATCH V SHARKS ON WEDNESDAY
PLEASE POST YOUR COMMENTS OR ASK GEORGE A QUESTION IN THE BOX BELOW AND GEORGE WILL RESPOND IN THE NEXT VIDEO.
Comments
Hey George,
I feel that saturdays game against western (which will be another depleted squad) will hav an experimental Lions team to some extent.
Particularly in the centre, i think Riki Flutey will get a start at 13 since apart from earls and shanklins early exit there is a lack of out and out 13s, i think D’Arcy will take 12 especially with Roberts having an injury concern.
I agree that Hines is nipping at second row and will also start , williams will return to 7 and powell at 8 and a baptism of fire for jones for an all welsh back row, jones needs to be thrown in at the deep end to gel quicker in case another back row falls to the physio table.
Monye, Kearney and Bowe will take the wings and fullback spot.
Murray, Sheridan and Ford will take front row and i think apart from Mears that will be the test front row, half backs spots will be Jones and Ellis/Blair.
I think the Lions should take a gamble and throw a rough and tumble side against WEstern even if it means losing a game they need to go to the edge in this game and take risks to know their limits. Losing a game could even be the kick up the back side they need to show more determination and heart, possibly even try a Munster approach.
What do you think??????
Regards,
Keith Duffy
P.S DONNACHA WILL PARTNER HINES
,KEITH DUFFY
I know the test centre partnership is pretty much set in stone (barring injuries) but I still think its a shame that Darcy hasnt had a chance to start at game yet.
He was excellent in the later stages of the 6 Nations and Heineken Cup and made many gains for the Barbarians against (albeit a poor) England. Probably the only fit player in the squad who hasnt started a game yet 
Hi George,
Another very enjoyable video blog!
I agree with your test squad for the most part. Although I would have Murray instead of Jones. I also agree that I would pick Hines over Wyn Jones right now.
I thought Wyn Jones was largely anonymous on Wednesday. He was very laborious on a number of occasions collecting at the front of the lineout, and he was penalised three times when holding on after going into contact. And I think that was more to do with his technique when tackled rather then a lack of support.
Fitzgerald has surely played his way into the test side also. Saturdays game will be important to see how Hines, Sheridan and Williams compete for a test spot.
Dave
Hi George,
Great Video Again. Thanks for the test 22 selection.
Ryan Jones is now out with a head injury probably concussion.
Can Joe Worsley re enter the frame as a number 6 who is better physically equipped to fight the hand to hand combat at the breakdown with Schalk and Co than the faster but lighter Tom Croft. Poor Old Ferris and Flannery, talking about guys who have speed and aggression combined.
Can Donnacha make a bigger impression? I feel that he played well with POC the last day and won some good opposition throw ins along with his captain. Hines is gunning for that slot too. I think that Alun Wyn Jones will start the first test but a more typical aggressive no.2 jumping tighter 2nd row is needed to partner POC. Shaw is tough enough but is he able to give 80 mins or maybe an impact sub role?
Moyne has to continue where he left off against the Golden Lions or Luke is going to sneak into the test no.11 jersey.
Sheridan or Gethin? Has Kaplan’s scrumtime fandango left Gethin Jenkins in freefall from an almost certain test place?
The Front Row Union needed Rory Best to replace Flannery as he was the next best hooker available. Having said that Lee Mears has been a pocket rocket and may just get under the Boks skins (literally).
Looks like D’Arcy will get a start in the Wednesday team, maybe get a bench spot if he performs well although I suspect that Hook will cover the flyhalf and centre positions on the bench with Rob Kearney covering wing and fullback.
My Test XV
15 Lee Byrne
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Brian O’Driscoll
12 Jamie Roberts
11 Luke Fitzgerald
10 Stephen Jones
09 Mike Phillips
01 Andrew Sheridan
02 Lee Mears
03 Adam Jones
04 Alun Wyn Jones
05 Paul O’Conell (Capt.)
06 Tom Croft
07 Martin Williams
08 Jamie Heaslip
16 Matthew Rees
17 Gethin Genkins
18 Donnacha O’Callaghan
19 David Wallace
20 Harry Ellis
21 James Hook
22 Rob Kearney
Gethin over Vickery because he has played both loosehead and tighthead and offers mor mobility.
Donnacha over Hines because I feel that he can play in the no.6 or no.8 spots if needed.
Pat
Hey George,
You mentioned O’Gara and Hook both as replacements. I think though that depending on the starting wingers and replacement wingers, ROG could miss out completely. If all out and out wingers are picked to start and bench the likes of Fitzgerald, Williams, Bowe or Monye, Hook will be sole backup for 10 and 15. If Kearney is involved at all O’Gara will backup and Hook will miss out. I say they would have to pick a better impact back then waste a spot on ultimately two 10’s.
Philips has been in for a lot of praise but he takes way too much out of the ball (2 steps) and commits to early to a decision with the ball up the jumper and never looks to off load. The BOK will rush and swamp him. His hands are not soft enough for this level but in saying that he has to start as the other two are not at the races.
SA will win series as unfortunate injuries rule out Ferris and Flannery. And ball will be to slow at rucks compounded by Philips.
Finally, Tommy Bowe has been man of the tour by far, who would of thought this 12 months ago, delighted for him.
Aidan
June 11th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Hi george,
Warren Gatland said that Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell will be starting the tests, then there are stories going around that no one has a guarenteed spot, what do you think.